Best Contemporary American Restaurants in Essex

An extraordinary experience- all was perfect!!! Highly recommend!!!

We did the holiday tea which was charming and I definitely recommend. I have also been there for dinner and the food was delicious, atmosphere charming and service excellent.

Arethusa has always been a great experience. They sweat the details and operate as if they expect to be a perpetual 5 star restaurant. There are hints of well-considered minutiae everywhere you look. For example, a glass saucer arrived on a desert plate that had a small cutout of tacky shelf liner material. My guest and I were impressed that the shelf liner was there so the saucer wouldn't slide off the plate. Water is offered either carbonated or flat. You will be given complimentary fresh made bread, and probably a shot of cold cucumber soup (or seasonal flavor of their choosing). Flavors are expertly honed and curated. Plates arrive at the table photo-ready and impressively organized. Best to choose not to look at the menu prices, and cost is sort of besides the point here. It is as fancy a dining experience as you will get in the county of Litchfield, CT. Appetizers and entrees have relatively small portion sizes, but each bite is to be savored. The gourmet cheeseboard is a necessity, as is the savory lamb belly, as are the pork dumplings, as is the tuna tartare with homemade potato chips.... I have never had a bad morsel of food here. Staff is beyond attentive; telekinetic is a more apt word. They see and sense exactly when to engage and usually do the right thing at the right time. Bonus: they are also associated with a working dairy farm and make their own ice cream. And it is THAT good.

The best food and service! Wish there were some light live music playing :)

Great experience. Service and food first class. Pricey but well worth it. Hand duck, wife had chicken scallapini , son had bass. All outstanding. Some of the best service I ever had